Client Overview
At Blackman & White, we take pride in championing UK-based businesses, especially when that partnership grows into a long-standing collaboration. Our journey with Nimlok, a leading UK-founded provider of exhibition stands, began with a bespoke project; we asked them to craft a custom cabinet featuring an acrylic insert. That very cabinet still stands proudly in our showroom today as a symbol of quality and craftsmanship.
Off the back of our newfound business relationship and impressed by our product offering, Nimlok approached us to enhance their in-house production with advanced cutting machinery. We were proud to deliver a tailored solution that met their evolving needs and helped drive their operational efficiency.
Founded in 1970 and based in Wellingborough, Nimlok has grown from a small portable backdrop business into a global brand. With a team of 85+ people at their UK headquarters and operations reaching across 21 countries, they now deliver more than 450 projects annually—from design and manufacture to installation, dismantling and corporate interiors.
We’re proud to support their growth with technology they can trust, and even prouder to call them a long-term partner. Our relationship with Nimlok exemplifies what we value most: innovation, collaboration and commitment that stands the test of time.
The Challenge
As Nimlok continued to experience sustained business growth and increasing customer demand year on year, it became clear that their legacy cutting system could no longer keep pace with production requirements. In order to streamline operations and reduce dependency on manual labour, the company recognised the need for a more efficient and scalable solution.
Space constraints also posed a significant challenge. Nimlok required a more compact cutting machine with enhanced fabric-handling capabilities, aiming to bring the Graphics team together in a single, centralised area. This spatial optimisation was essential for improving overall production flow and encouraging better collaboration within the team.
The Solution
To meet Nimlok’s growing production demands and address space and efficiency challenges, Blackman & White provided a tailored cutting solution designed to improve speed, versatility, and workflow.
Their upgraded system includes:
Gen V Conveyor System – with a generous 3.2m cutting width and 4.0m cutting length, perfect for handling large-format materials.
High-Performance Router (3.6 kW) – for faster, more powerful, and precise cutting across a wider range of materials.
Driven Wheel – Perfect tooling for Nimlok’s new production material (black backed fabric) which thanks to the driven wheel, allows clean cutting and no fray.
Drag Blade Tool – for simple, effective cuts on lighter materials.
Kisscut Tool – allowing detailed surface cuts without damaging the backing, ideal for vinyl and similar substrates.
Material Roll-Off Unit – for smooth, efficient material feed into the cutter.
Material Catching Basket – to keep the production area tidy and support seamless workflow.
This advanced configuration has streamlined Nimlok’s production, reduced the need for manual intervention, and enabled them to take on more complex and varied projects with ease.
The Teams involved
Several key teams played an integral role in delivering a successful solution for Nimlok:
Sales – Our Sales team worked closely with Nimlok to develop a clear understanding of their initial requirements for their cutting machine, leveraging over 12 years of partnership to ensure a solution tailored to their evolving business needs.
Leadership – Our Managing Director, Alex White, was directly involved in shaping a bespoke solution, drawing on deep industry insight and a longstanding relationship with Nimlok to ensure the best possible fit for their operational goals.
Production – A dedicated team of highly skilled engineers oversaw the process, ensuring the machine met the highest standards of precision, quality, and reliability before delivery.
Installation – The installation was carried out by our expert install team who carried out site survey and installation whilst ensuring minimum disruption to Nimlok’s production team.
The Results
The upgraded cutting machine delivered significant improvements across Nimlok’s production capabilities and workflow:
Increased Output and Efficiency – The new system allows Nimlok to cut two panels simultaneously, significantly accelerating production all thanks to upgrading from a flatbed to a conveyor system which proves to be faster on fabrics, enabling quicker turnaround times.
Expanded Product Offering – With the enhanced capabilities of the upgraded machine, Nimlok can now produce both complex 3D elements by utilising the new router and packaging in-house, broadening their service offering and increasing their creative flexibility.
Space and Energy Savings – Despite its smaller footprint, the new machine offers superior performance. The reduced bed size has freed up valuable floor space, and improved energy efficiency has contributed to lower operational costs.
Improved Workflow and Team Integration – Relocating the entire Graphics team into one consolidated area has improved communication and production flow, reduced delays and increasing collaboration.
Reduced Manual Intervention – The automatic fabric feed and integrated material hopper have streamlined the cutting process, eliminating the need for manual handling and further improving consistency and efficiency.
Greater Responsiveness – Nimlok is now better equipped to meet tight deadlines and handle last minute customer requests with confidence due to faster production speeds and everything being managed in-house.
Client Testimonial
“We are thrilled with our investment in the new Genesis-V cutting table from Blackman and White. As loyal customers for over 12 years, we’ve always relied on their fantastic service and the exceptional reliability of their cutters. Despite exploring all alternatives, we could not justify going elsewhere, as we were certain the quality of their product and service could not be matched. Replacing our old Blackman and White table with this advanced model has massively boosted our production speed, and we’re equally excited about the substantial energy savings it will deliver. We’re also proud to support a UK manufacturing business, strengthening our commitment to quality and local innovation.”
– Darren Cardew, Operations Director, Nimlok Limited
Conclusion
By leveraging a strong, long-standing partnership and a comprehensive understanding of Nimlok’s operational needs, Blackman & White were ideally positioned to recommend a bespoke upgrade to their cutting machine. The transition from an old-style Master Cut to a new style Genesis V system allowed for the expansion of Nimlok’s product range by permitting the inhouse production of 3D elements with the use of the router whilst simultaneously being able to knife cut at greater speeds with a seamless finish. The move from a flatbed to conveyor system, enhanced production speed and reliability but also significantly expanded Nimlok’s material processing capabilities—enabling the development of in-house products that would previously have been unfeasible such as packaging using the drag knife. Cutting cardboard and foamex on the upgraded machine has so far proven to be the biggest asset to the production team at Nimlok.
This strategic upgrade has enabled Nimlok to respond more rapidly to customer demands and maintain a competitive edge in the dynamic exhibitions and events sector.
Want to see similar results within your business? Contact us today to learn more about our cutting machines and what we can offer.
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